Method and Apparatus for Fitness Exercise

ABSTRACT

In accordance with one embodiment, a method and apparatus for fitness exercise, generally comprising an arcuate board and exercise bands is provided for use in combination with routines designed to enhance the results which may be achieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body and in both strength exercises and stretching exercises.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT AND TRADE DRESS

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may showand/or describe matter which is or may become trade dress of the owner.The copyright and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by any one of the patent disclosure as it appears in thePatent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwisereserves all copyright and trade dress rights whatsoever.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a physical fitness and rehabilitationapparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to aphysical fitness and rehabilitation apparatus for improving strength,peripheral nervous system activity, balance, flexibility, and jointstabilization, and to a method for using the same.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Strength, flexibility and their relation to the muscles making up thecore of body have become recognized as vital to the physical well beingof individuals. The pelvic floor muscles, transversus abdominis,multifidus, internal and external obliques, rectus abdominis, erectorspinae (sacrospinalis) especially the longissimus thoracis, and thediaphragm make up the muscles commonly referred to as the “core.” Thesemuscles strongly effect posture, gate, stabilization during movement,and many more functions critical to life such as breathing.

Maintaining a healthy core can reduce the possibility of injury orstrain from engaging in various sporting activities. Moreover, withpeople who have suffered an injury to the musculature comprising thisregion, a program of exercise which improves core strength can becritical in recovering full use of the extremities and avoidingreinjunry while maintaining the individuals quality of life.

For the many people engaging in physical activities, such as yoga,pilates, skiing, biking, roller blading, ice skating, etc., thatroutinely engage the core muscles, the benefits of core strengtheningexercises have long been known. A strong core is associated with reducedpossibility of injury by imparting greater strength and mobility,particularly with respect to some of the most common movements humanbeings make on a daily basis. A strong core is extremely important tomobility and breathing which, in turn, has a major impact on the qualityof life. For those who have suffered injuries which interfere withmobility, there is a very real need to strengthen these muscles. Suchrecovery can often be achieved through an exercise routine which buildscore strength and improve flexibility.

Core muscles can be strengthened in a variety of ways which include bothaerobic and anaerobic exercise. Furthermore, tendons can be lengthenedby repeated stretching leading to increased flexibility. Greatermuscular strength allows the body to resist excessive motion betweenbodily joints. Increased flexibility or tendon length allows a greaterrange of movement of the joints before damage is sustained by the body.

A variety of exercises and apparatuses have been proposed to strengthenthe core and improve flexibility. Many of these exercise apparatuses arelarge and expensive machines which are not easily portable. Thus, theyare typically found only in gyms, exercise rooms, and other permanentexercise areas. In addition, most of these apparatuses use heavy weightsas a means of generating resistance and increasing the muscular forcerequired to perform an exercise. Furthermore, they tend to neglectbalance, and muscle and ligament flexibility.

One exercise device comprises a board supported on two rockers. Theexercise is performed by standing on the board while grasping astationary object and rocking back and forth on the board. Thus, theupper portion of the body is held substantially vertical while the lowerportion of the body conforms to the inclined surface produced by theboard rocking back and forth. The orientation of the body with respectto the direction of rocking may be varied so the joints of the lowerextremities receive a full range of motion.

Existing boards with rockers are not specifically designed to increasethe strength of the core muscles. Particularly, they do not provide ameans whereby the core muscles can be engaged while also engaging theparts of the nervous system which facilitate communication between oneside of the cerebral cortex and the other.

Thus, an exercise method and apparatus that would be relativelyinexpensive, portable, and adaptable to a variety of environments wouldbe highly desirable in itself. If in addition, it lent itself to acorresponding exercise routine using the apparatus, which routineprovided enhanced core strength and balance while, at the same time,increasing flexibility, it would be highly desirous. Such an apparatuswould allow the user to concentrate on the muscles, tendons, ligaments,and parts of the nervous system essential to developing a strong andhealthy core. The present invention effectuates these needs.

SUMMARY

The present ion advances the art and overcomes the aforementionedproblems by providing an oblong arcuate element that permits exerciseroutines which could not previously be performed without complexexercise equipment and facilities. Preferably, the rocking element is aboard or other elongated element preferably large enough for a person tostand on with their legs at least shoulder-width apart while rockingfrom side to side. The invention also provides corresponding exerciseroutines in which the user stands on the rocking element and performs aseries of movements designed to engage particular muscles, nerves, andtendons providing enhanced core strength and balance while, at the sametime, increasing a persons flexibility.

The present invention further provides a method of exercising a humanbody, the method comprising: providing a rocking element having anarcuate body portion adapted to be stood on and receive the weight of ahuman body, and a smooth bottom surface adapted to rock side to side ona exercise floor; placing the rocking element on an exercise floor andstanding on the body portion; and performing an exercise programincluding rocking the body portion by transferring a persons weight fromone side to the opposite side. Preferably, the exercise programcomprises two or more routines selected from the group consisting of:routines performed with the human body in a standing position facingforward; routines performed with the human body in a prone position;routines performed with the human body in a supine position; androutines performed with the human body in a side-facing position, or anyof the aforementioned positions while utilizing a pair of exercise bandsremovably attached to the rocking element.

The rocking element of the present invention employs a oblong arcuateexercise board comprising a body portion. The body portion is generallysymmetrical for facilitating a stable rocking motion from side to sideduring use. Preferably, the body is made of a lightweight polymer.Preferably, the bottom surface includes a low friction protective layer.

In one embodiment, the body portion comprises a pair of releasablyattached exercise bands located at either end of the body portion. Thesedevices include, but are not limited to, resistance bands, suspensionstraps and stretch straps. For convenience, they may be collectivelyreferred to as exercise bands. In one embodiment of the exercise bandsof the present invention, they may comprise a means for adjusting thelength to accommodate users of differing heights and body types.

In one embodiment, the means of releasable attachment for the exercisebands is a two-piece buckle assembly, such as a side release buckle witha female receptacle configured to engage a corresponding male plug.Either the female receptacle or male plug includes a pair of belt holesfor insertion and adjustable frictional engagement of the exercisebands. The other of the female receptacle and male plug includes a belthole with an opening for insertion and engagement of the rockingelement. Alternative connectors may include a center release buckle, athreaded buckle, a cam buckle, a snap buckle, a carabiner and a springdip.

In yet another embodiment, use of the apparatus may be facilitated withthe use of a plurality of anti-slip regions which may be defined in anupper surface of the rocking element. The anti-slip regions may belocated close to a periphery of the at least one side of the rockingelement and may be comprised of ridges and/or grooves.

In one embodiment of the rocking element the upper surface havingpositioned thereon a plurality of textured non-slip positioning pads inparallel relationship, transversing the longitudinal axis of the boardand extending laterally across the width of the board or portionthereof, in raised relationship to the upper surface of the rockingelement providing comfortable non-slip tactile contact with the feet orshoes of an individual performing the exercises intended for theapparatus.

The present invention provides an apparatus and exercise routine thatenhances the results which may be achieved by presently known exercisemachines using a compact, portable device that can be used to exercisenearly every muscle in the body and in both strength exercises andstretching exercises. Numerous other features, objects and advantages ofthe invention will become apparent from the following description whenread in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figures

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the basic rocking exercise according to thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the arm curl rocking exercise according tothe present invention;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate the basic side rocking exercise according tothe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the board with exercise bands attachedaccording to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the board with exercise bands removedaccording to the present invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, thedimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present invention. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in thedescription and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishingbetween similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particularsequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the termsso used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such thatthe embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operationin sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.Furthermore, the terms “include,” and “have,” and any variationsthereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that aprocess, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises alist of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but mayinclude other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

The terms “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” “top” “bottom,” “over,”“under,” and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, areused for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describingpermanent relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms soused are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that theembodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capableof operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwisedescribed herein.

The terms “couple,” “coupled,” “couples,” “coupling,” and the likeshould be broadly understood and refer to connecting two or moreelements or signals, electrically, mechanically or otherwise. Two ormore electrical elements may be electrically coupled, but notmechanically or otherwise coupled; two or more mechanical elements maybe mechanically coupled, but not electrically or otherwise coupled; twoor more electrical elements may be mechanically coupled, but notelectrically or otherwise coupled. Coupling (whether mechanical,electrical, or otherwise) may be for any length of time, e.g., permanentor semi-permanent or only for an instant.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. Theshowings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments and notfor purposes of limiting the same. The following explanation providesspecific details for a thorough understanding of an enabling descriptionfor these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that theinvention may be practiced without such details.

Exemplary exercises that embody aspects of the invention are shown inFIGS. 1A through 3B. It should be understood that the invention is notlimited to these exercises. Rather the exercises have been selected todemonstrate to those skilled in the art the variety of exercisescontemplated by the invention, so that they can better understand theinvention and be able to create additional exercises. It should also beunderstood that the drawings are not exact replications of an exercise,but are only meant to illustrate the approximate body positions so thatthe exercise can be better understood.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a lowered arm rocking exercise according tothe present invention. This exercise is shown starting from a standingrest position 100. In this exercise, the person 40 stands on the board12 with legs 104 and 105 approximately shoulder width apart with theirfeet 106 and 107 on the positioning pads 19 (See FIGS. 5 & 6) and theirarms 102 and 103 lowered.

The person 40 pushes on one leg 104 with sufficient weight on the ballof the opposite foot 107 to balance while engaging the core 110 of theperson 40. The person 40 then pushes on the other leg 105 and engagestheir core 110 to rock themselves to the other side. The arms 102 and103 do not participate to balance the body when the person 40 is engagedin this exercise. However, in one embodiment, the person 40 may beholding onto a pair of handles 30 and 32 attached to a pair of exercisebands 22 and 24.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate an arm raise stabilization exercise accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. This exercise begins from astanding rest position 200. In this exercise, the person 50 stands onthe board 12 with legs 204 and 205 approximately shoulder width apartwith their feet 206 and 207 on the positioning pads 19 and their arms202 and 203 lowered. While maintaining this static position the person50 may stretch the ligaments and muscles of the legs 204 and 205.

This time, however, the person 50 engages their core 210 with sufficientweight on the balls of their feet 206 and 207 to prevent from rocking toeither side. The person 50 is holding onto a pair of handles 30 and 32attached to a pair of exercise bands 22 and 24 which are attached to theboard 12. The person 50 then raises their arms 202 and 203 to about thelevel of their head 212 while using the core muscles 210 to prevent fromrocking to either side.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a sideways rocking exercise according to thepresent invention. This exercise is shown starting from a standing restwith the person 60 facing to one side and leaning back onto their backleg 304. In this exercise, the person 60 stands on the board 12 withlegs 304 and 305 approximately shoulder width apart with their feet 306and 307 on the positioning pads 19 and their arms 302 and 303 lowered.

The person 60 pushes on one leg 304 with sufficient weight on the ballof the opposite foot 307 to balance while engaging the core 310 of theperson 60. The person 60 then pushes on the other leg 305 and engagestheir core 310 to rock themselves forward. The arms do not participateto balance the body when the person 60 is engaged in this exercise.However, in one embodiment, the person 60 may be holding onto a pair ofhandles 30 and 32 attached to a pair of exercise bands 22 and 24.

Thus, the apparatus 10 of the present invention is useful in providing anumber of exercise routines that enhance the results which may beachieved by presently known exercise machines using a compact, portabledevice that can be used to exercise nearly every muscle in the body inboth strength exercises and stretching exercises.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like numbers referto similar parts, an apparatus 10 for fitness exercise is shown in moredetail. The apparatus 10 is constructed of a generally arcuate board 12which is longer than it is wide, thus defining two long edges 14 and 16and two short edges 15 and 17. The board 12 has a top surface 18 and abottom surface 20.

The top surface 18 forms an arcuate support and is designed to be stoodupon when exercises using the apparatus 10 are performed. In oneembodiment, the top surface 18 of the board 12 comprises a plurality ofnon-slip positioning pads 19 (FIG. 6) selectively positioned transverseto the lateral axis of the board 12 substantially across the width ofthe board 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are a plurality ofnon-slip positioning pads 19 selectively positioned in spaced apartrelationship. In another embodiment the frictional contact between theshoes of a person performing exercises and the apparatus 10 is achievedusing a high friction coating (not shown) is applied to the top surface18.

It should be understood that the board 12 may be constructed of wood,fiberglass, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or other plastics, and may befabricated by any number of techniques including injection molding,structural foam molding, thermoforming, blow molding, reaction injectionmolding, etc.

In some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may comprise two exercise bands 22and 24. The exercise bands are preferably constructed from an elasticmaterial that provides resistance while stretched and repeatably returnsto the original position when not stretched. In one embodiment, theexercise bands 22 and 24 may be removable from the apparatus 10. Inother embodiment, the exercise bands 22 and 24 are integrated such thatthey are not easily removable.

In the illustrated embodiment, the exercise bands 22 and 24 comprise anengagement member 26 and 28 which is configured to attach a handle 30and 32 or other accessory to the exercise band 22 and 24. The engagementmember 26 and 28 may be a hook, tie, threaded joiner, buckle, or otherform of connection. Other accessories for attachment at the engagementmember 26 and 28 may comprise loops, straps, hooks, and grips.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specificembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made without departing from the scope of theinvention. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to beillustrative of the scope of the invention and is not intended to belimiting. It is intended that the scope of the invention shall belimited only to the extent required by the appended claims. To one ofordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the devicesand method discussed herein may be implemented in a variety ofembodiments, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of theseembodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of allpossible embodiments. Rather, the detailed description of the drawings,and the drawings themselves, disclose at least one preferred embodiment,and may disclose alternative embodiments.

All elements claimed in any particular claim are essential to theembodiment claimed in that particular claim. Consequently, replacementof one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstruction and notrepair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutions toproblems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims, unlesssuch benefits, advantages, solutions, or elements are stated in suchclaim.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents

CONCLUSIONS, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE

While a particular form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed, it will be apparent that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Forexample, fitness apparatus is illustrated with exercise bands in someembodiments even though the inventor contemplates the possibility thatthe exercise bands may be removed all the while comprising theproperties of the invention. Accordingly, is not intended that theinvention be limited, except as by the appended claims.

The teachings provided herein can be applied to other systems, notnecessarily the apparatus described herein. The elements and acts of thevarious embodiments described above can be combined to provide furtherembodiments. All of the above patents and applications and otherreferences, including any that may be listed in accompanying filingpapers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the inventioncan be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, andconcepts of the various references described above to provide yetfurther embodiments of the invention.

Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspectsof the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology isbeing refined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics,features, or aspects of the method and apparatus for fitness exercisewith which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used inthe following claims should not be constructed to limit the method andapparatus for fitness exercise to the specific embodiments disclosed inthe specification, unless the above description section explicitlydefine such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope encompasses not onlythe disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing orimplementing the disclosed method and apparatus. The above descriptionof embodiments of the method and apparatus for fitness exercise is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the precise form disclosed aboveor to a particular field of usage. While specific embodiments of, andexamples for, the method and apparatus are described above forillustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possiblewhich those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.

While certain aspects of the method and apparatus for fitness exerciseare presented below in particular claim forms, the inventor contemplatesthe various aspects of the method and apparatus in any number of claimforms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additionalclaims after filing the application to pursue such additional claimforms for other aspects of the method and apparatus for fitnessexercise.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for fitness exercise comprising: anoblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, a bottom surface,first short side and a second short side and two long sides, said topsurface providing a place upon which a person may stand while performingan exercise; wherein said board is arcuate and said bottom surfacecomprises an apex for engaging said floor when said person is performingsaid exercise; and said top surface further comprising a plurality ofanti-slip members transversing said board.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1further comprising at least two exercise bands having a first end and asecond end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 comprising a first exercise bandwherein said first exercise band first end is releasably attached tosaid first short side; and a second exercise band wherein said secondexercise band first end is releasably attached to said second shortside.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a first handle anda second handle wherein said first handle is releasably attached to saidfirst exercise band second end; and said second handle is releasablyattached to said second exercise band second end.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 1 wherein the arcuate portion extends along more than half thelength of said board and said first short side and said second shortside are at least one inch above the floor when said apex is in contactwith the floor.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said anti-slipmembers comprise a plurality non-slip positioning pads transversing thelateral axis of the board.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apexis textured to create an increased coefficient of friction between theboard and the floor.
 8. A method for fitness exercise comprising:providing a oblong board for use on a floor having a top surface, abottom surface comprising an apex adapted to rock from side to side onthe floor, a first short side and a second short side and two longsides, said top surface providing a place upon which a person may standwhile performing an exercise; said top surface further comprising aplurality of anti-slip members transversing said board; placing saidboard on the floor; having a person stand on said top surface with legsspaced shoulder-width apart and with feet positioned above saidpositioning pads; and, while said person is standing on said board, andwithout restraining said sliding element except by said floor and saidfeet, performing an exercise program including rocking said boardwithout moving said feet.
 9. The method of claim 8 further comprisingthe steps of providing at least two exercise bands having a first endand a second end, a first exercise band first end is releasably attachedto said first short side of said board; and a second exercise bandwherein said second exercise band first end is releasably attached tosaid second short side of said board; and performing said exercisingprogram.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said exercise programcomprises one or more routines selected from the group consisting of:routines performed with said person standing and facing forward whileshifting their weight from one side to the other; routines performedwith said person standing and facing forward and holding said exercisebands while shifting their weight from one side to the other; routinesperformed with said person standing and facing to their right andholding said exercise bands while shifting their weight from one side tothe other; routines performed with said person standing and facing totheir left and holding said exercise bands while shifting their weightfrom one side to the other; and routines performed with said personstanding and facing forward and holding said exercise bands atshoulder-level and then raising them overhead while maintaining theirbalance.
 11. The method of claim 10 wherein said exercise programcomprises two or more routines selected from said group.
 12. The methodof claim 8 wherein said anti-slip members comprise a plurality non-slippositioning pads transversing the lateral axis of the board.
 13. Themethod of claim 8 wherein said apex is textured to create an increasedcoefficient of friction between the board and the floor.
 14. The methodof claim 8 wherein said performing comprises a strength developmentexercise routine for improving strength, peripheral nervous systemactivity, balance, flexibility, and joint stabilization.